ArcticSat-1: A Year in Orbit, 3.5 Million Data Points, and a Cosmic Octopus
The Radiation Monitoring Lab of SINP MSU tracks the progress of promising space missions. One of the most interesting recent projects is ArcticSat-1.
The small satellite ArcticSat-1 was launched into orbit on November, 2024. It is a scientific and educational satellite developed by the Lomonosov Northern (Arctic) Federal University, with scientific instruments developed with the participation of specialists from the Radiation Monitoring Lab of SINP MSU.
Over 12 months in orbit, the 3U CubeSat has brilliantly executed its mission of comprehensive Arctic study, establishing itself as a prime example of a modern scientific-educational initiative.
A Year in Numbers: Orbital Records
> 3.5 million records of space weather data in the polar regions, crucial for building an early warning system for satellite operators.
232 million km — the phenomenal distance the spacecraft has covered in orbit.
5,800 orbits around Earth.
90 minutes — the duration of a single orbit, traveling at a speed of about 8 km/s.
Science at the Forefront: A Unique Instrument Suite
The mission's key strength lies in its suite of scientific instruments, operating at an altitude of 550 km:
The DeKoR-2 radar monitors the state and dynamics of the ice cover.
The AIS (Automatic Identification System) tracks vessel traffic in the Northern Sea Route waters.
The high-resolution survey camera visualizes changes in the Arctic landscapes.
The collected data allows scientists to analyze the consequences of climate change in near real-time.
Education, Technology, and... an Octopus
The mission successfully combines cutting-edge science with educational and outreach tasks within the Space Pi project.
A special symbol of the project is the Octo-Pax octopus sculpture, which traveled to space as a symbolic payload.
The satellite (call sign RS74S) actively engages with the global amateur radio community, transmitting images in SSTV format on a frequency of 435.89 MHz.
We congratulate our colleagues and partners on the first successful anniversary of ArcticSat-1 in orbit!